This Steampunk RPG Shatters Elden Ring’s Record and Enters Gaming’s Hall of Fame
The gaming world has just witnessed an event as unexpected as it is extraordinary: a French RPG with a distinctive steampunk aesthetic has dethroned the colossal Elden Ring to become the most awarded game of all time. With 436 Game of the Year titles under its belt, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is rewriting industry standards and proving that excellence can emerge from the most surprising places.
The announcement dropped yesterday on the ResetEra forums, sending shockwaves through the gaming community. Developed by French studio Sandfall Interactive, this RPG has reached a milestone that even the most iconic video games struggled to achieve. Surpassing Elden Ring’s 429 awards, this uniquely European-charmed title has etched its name into the annals of global gaming history. All the more impressive considering it’s a brand-new IP without the legacy of decades-old franchises.
Image credit: Sandfall Interactive
An unmatched record that shakes the industry
According to the meticulous tally by the ResetEra community, a trusted archive for video game awards, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 now boasts 436 Game of the Year (GOTY) awards. This dizzying figure surpasses the 429 awards earned by Elden Ring, long considered untouchable.
This count follows strict criteria: only awards from media outlets, ceremonies, and shows active for over a year, with dedicated editorial teams and multi-platform coverage, are included.
| Game | GOTY | Player’s Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) | 436 | 125 |
| Elden Ring (2022) | 429 | 97 |
| The Last of Us Part II (2020) | 326 | 115 |
| Baldur’s Gate III (2023) | 288 | 89 |
But the GOTY count tells only part of the story. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 also holds the all-time record for Player’s Choice awards with 125 honors voted directly by players. This figure blows past the 115 awards of The Last of Us Part II and the 97 of Elden Ring, proving that critical acclaim is matched by genuine popular endorsement.
A new IP taking on established giants
The most remarkable aspect of this achievement is that it’s a completely new intellectual property. To compete from the first installment with legendary franchises like The Witcher, The Last of Us, or Elden Ring is a rare feat. The gaming industry seldom sees a new IP reach such universal recognition without the backing of a long-standing series.
Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leveraged a smart multiplatform strategy. This broad accessibility significantly expanded its audience and multiplied opportunities for recognition across diverse gaming communities. The gamble of a simultaneous launch on all major platforms has clearly paid off.
The steampunk universe blended with French Belle Époque influences creates a unique visual identity that immediately sets the game apart from its competitors. This bold artistic direction, combined with a combat system that fuses turn-based tactics with real-time action, has captivated critics and players worldwide alike.
The race for awards is far from over
And it’s not over yet! Several prestigious ceremonies are still scheduled in the coming months, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 nominated in most of them. The calendar looks especially busy with:
- The Algeria Game Awards on January 23, 2026
- The Arab Game Awards on January 26, 2026
- The DICE Awards on February 12, 2026
- The Game Developers Choice Awards on March 12, 2026
- The GEM Awards on April 8, 2026
- The BAFTA Games Awards on April 17, 2026
Alongside these official events, several major community polls are underway, including those hosted by VGCharts and ResetEra, with results expected in the coming weeks. Current trends suggest the final tally of accolades could far exceed the 436 awards already recorded. One thing is certain: with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, steampunk gaming has just etched its name in golden letters in the history of global gaming.
Clair Obscur, PC, PlayStation 5, Steampunk games, Xbox Series X|S
